Wounded guard still in coma; Security tightened at complex blast site

BANGKOK, Aug 28 -- A security guard who was wounded from an explosion near a King Power duty-free shopping complex in the Thai capital remains in critical condition early Saturday while police have tightened security at the building, officials said.

Victim Jetsada Jankrajang, 24, is now receiving treatment at Rajavithi Hospital after receiving wounds from shrapnel in his head and torso in Thursday’s night explosion at King Power duty-free shopping complex in Soi Rangnam.

The hospital director said Mr Jetsada is still in intensive care, and doctors must monitor his condition closely for “at least another seven to 10 days.”

Still conscious, his parents are with him but he cannot talk as he wears a breath inhaler, the director said.

Senior police officers on Friday night met to discuss progress in the investigation, said Pol Gen Panupong Singhara Na Ayutthaya, chief advisor of the national police chief. Afterward he said police believed the attack as stemming from a political motive or complex executives having disputes with politicians or planned to disrupt Bangkok district and councillor elections on Sunday.

An M79 grenade launcher was used in the attack, Pol Gen Panupong believed, saying it was fired from at least 400 metres from the impact site.

Police announced a reward of Bt100,000 for anyone giving information on the bomber, he said.

Thursday night’s attack at the King Power complex marked the second incident after the first instance on July 30. A garbage scavenger was critically wounded in that incident.

A suspect named Sorathian Singkanya was arrested for alleged involvement last month's grenade incident but he denied the charges. (MCOT online news)